Bit and Pieces
Stig Skarborn in Fredericton
"A" Meets
I think that ONB set a new record with three consecutive
"A" meets on three weekends. ONB appreciates the
efforts of those who volunteered as officials and helpers. The
Rockwood Park map seemed to be the best in New Brunswick with
respect to detail and accuracy, and I look forward to competing
there in the future. At the Saint John meet I was happy to see
Mike Fellows, one of our best orienteers a few years ago. True to
form he won M21 in a time of 96:46, 8.5 minutes ahead of second
place Doug Mahoney.
All the maps and courses were produced on OCAD for Windows and
reproduced either with a colour printer, or a colour photocopier.
What a great improvement over the manual ways we have struggled
with in the past when reproducing courses. Perhaps we should have
new officials do one meet the old-fashioned way, just so that they
truly appreciate the advances in technology.
Clinics
I am convinced that we have set a new record in New Brunswick, if
not in Canada, for holding clinics and special events for
beginners this year. The Foxes started out in the spring with
their beginner's clinic and weeknight training sessions. A junior
and senior training camp was held in conjunction with the Falcon
Cup. A beginner's clinic was also given in Saint John before the
Rockwood Park "A" meet. The summer has seen 60
youngsters participate in the UNB Shad Valley clinic and score
meet, and apparently 710 scouts and leaders in conjunction with a
scout jamboree in Kouchibouguac. I hope we will hear more of the
latter event from the organizer and mapper, Ed Smith. Still
scheduled at the time of writing this article are clinics/meets at
the Western Valley Regional Games in Woodstock (on a new Connell
Park map by Mike McEwing), and a Guides' event being organized by
Theresa Whaley in Woolastook. Keep up the good work, and we may
wind up with more orienteers after all.
World Championships
The Canadian team selected for the World Championships to be held
August 6-20 in Germany are:
- Brian Graham, 1994 Canadian Champion from Ottawa
- Martin Pardoe, Vancouver
- Eric Cyr, Quebec
- Francis Falardeau, Quebec
- AND OUR OWN WIL SMITH FROM WATERSIDE
- Pam James, 1994 Canadian Champion from Halifax
- Catherin Hagen, British Columbia
- Marketa Graham, Ottawa
- Marie-Catherin Bruno, Quebec
- Marie-Josee Alarie, Quebec
This is the first time Canada has sent a full women's team. I
sincerely hope that all the athletes will be healthy and will be
at their personal best, and that they will be an inspiration to
others who may realize that they also have a chance at
representing Canada in the future if they persist in bettering
themselves.
Do Not Forget
.....to tell your friends about orienteering, and bring them out
to the next meet.
NCCP = National Coaching Certification Programme
I received a summary of NCCP coaches from the province. The
statistics for orienteering are as follows: Seven, five and one
persons have taken the Level 1, 2 and 3 Theory courses over the
years. The Technical courses have only been taken by twenty and
five persons for Level 1 and 2 respectively. The Practical
component has only been completed by three persons at Level 1.
According to the summary we only have one fully accredit Level 1
coach in the province. An updated summary should show we now also
have one Level 2 coach but this is not enough. The lack of
interest in coaching reflects badly on our sport and should be
corrected. The call is again out for volunteers. If you have
completed one or two parts of the three component programme
(theory, technical and practical) you are encouraged to complete
your certification.
Sport Canada Slashes Funding
Unfortunately orienteering is one of the sports who will not
receive federal funding as of 1996. We are not alone. Also
chopped were squash, racquetball, luge, rhythmic gymnastics, team
handball, archery, lawn bowls, five- and ten-pin bowling,
weightlifting, ringette, ski jumping, karate, cricket, football,
broomball, handball, mens golf, lacrosse, modern pentathlon, and
Nordic combined. Sports that continue receiving federal funding
include yachting, synchronized swimming, freestyle skiing, boxing,
shooting, biathlon (surprise, surprise, and bless Miriam),
equestrian, water skiing, water polo and bobsleigh. It does not
seem fair, but on the other hand we have never attracted more than
3,000 members in Canada, and are registering little, if any,
growth. Too bad for such a great, healthy, family sport,
something that very few of the others can be considered as
being.
Success at Last
After approximately 10 attempts by yours truly to win a Troll Cup
at New England's premier meet, I am happy to announce that I
placed third in M50, and therefore finally am the owner of a Troll
Cup. This trophy is prominently displayed in our home. P.S.
Please excuse me for boasting about this nominal degree of
success.
This page was assembled by:
Benjamin Lee
Last updated: 1995-09-29